HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse announced Saturday, July 19,
2014 that Hawaii’s leading design firmGroup 70 International,
Inc. (G70) was selected as the architect, interior designer and civil
engineer on record for the 130-acre Tahiti Mahana Beach Resort and Spa
project intended to reignite tourism in Tahiti and stimulate its
economy. The project is being led by the French Polynesian government
who approved G70’s initial design plans and a jury selected the
kama‘aina design firm over a firm from France and China to develop the
innovative project on Tahiti’s west side.

Anticipated to be the largest resort in French Polynesia, G70 is
responsible for developing a comprehensive waterfront plan for the
nearly $3-billion resort project that includes five international class
hotels, a timeshare, condominiums, a marina, an aquatic park, a casino,
a convention center, theaters and luxury retail shops.

“We were up against 77 other international companies for the contract,
so we are extremely pleased to be back in this beautiful country and
contribute to its expansive redevelopment,” said Group 70 Chairman
Francis Oda, FAIA. “We realize the significance of this project for
Tahiti’s economy and livelihood of the entire community, so it was very
important for us to work in collaboration with local professionals from
Tahiti. We did not want to keep the benefits of such an unprecedented
project exclusive to ourselves.”

This year, G70 will form Group 70 Tahiti, a French Polynesian
corporation based in Tahiti to service this project. The G70
architecture team is led by Chairman Francis Oda, FAIA, interior design
by Vice Chair Sheryl Seaman, AIA, and civil engineering by Associate
David Brotchie, P.E. Additionally, G70 will work with Hawaii-based
Walters, Kimura, Motoda, Inc. on the landscape architecture.

The resort’s design will pay homage to the unique characteristics of the
French Polynesian culture, while offering guests an unparalleled
tropical retreat. The design theme, centered on the respected Polynesian
voyaging tradition, has been tastefully incorporated throughout the
property with structures based on elements such as navigational charts
and canoes. The resort’s high-rise centerpiece will feature an iconic
sail-shaped façade, and sustainable design elements like a sea water air
conditioning (SWAC) system will be incorporated throughout.

G70 anticipates breaking ground on the project in six to nine months
with a target completion in 2021.

About Group 70 International, Inc.

An award-winning design firm founded in Honolulu in 1971, Group 70
International is dedicated to a collaborative approach in all it does
and committed to design that reflects the people in which the project
serves. For more information on Hawaii’s leading design firm
specializing in planning, architecture, interior design, civil
engineering and sustainability, visit www.group70int.com.